CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C -Campbell River’s new water supply system is now providing water to some parts of the city.
The city had to build a new water intake after BC Hydro decided to remove the existing system, where Campbell River had been taking water from.
“BC Hydro used to have water going through penstocks to generate power, but they had to undergo a whole seismic upgrade,” said Nathalie Viau, the city’s water supervisor.
The removal of the penstocks is a part of a $1.1 billion project, called the John Hart Generating System replacement project.
“It was a seamless transition as we began to draw water from the new intake in John Hart Lake in late March, and the community water system is now fully independent of the BC Hydro penstocks that were formerly in use. This step was a major milestone for the project and required a high degree of planning to ensure it went smoothly,” said Viau.
“Water flowing from the new lakeside facility is disinfected with both chlorine and ultra-violet radiation and our water quality consistently meets and even exceeds Canadian drinking water quality standards.”
It’s Campbell River’s largest infrastructure project to date.
The city’s water system distributes potable water for domestic, commercial and industrial use as well as fire protection via water mains running throughout the city.
The system also provides water to local First Nations reserves and in a portion of Strathcona Regional District Area D.
The entire drinking water project is valued at $29.1 million, BC Hydro has contributed 18.3 million.
